Method of cleaning shrimp



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United States Patent Ofifice 3,277,517 Patented Oct. 11, 1966 8 Claims. (Cl. 17-45) The present application is a division of applicants copending application Serial No. 343,292, filed Feb. 7, 1964.

This invention relates to the cleaning of shrimp and is concerned particularly with the cleaning of shrimp so as to leave the tail of each shrimp attached to the flesh body of the shrimp from which the shell is removed.

Cleaned shrimp consisting of flesh bodies of shrimp to which the shrimp tails remain attache-d and from which the sand veins and main portions of the shrimp shells have been removed may, for convenience, be referred to as cleaned tail-on shrimp. Such shrimp are preferred for some cooking and serving purposes and have certain qualities and advantages not afforded by cleaned shrimp from which the tails have been removed. For some purposes it is preferable to have shrimp consisting of cleaned flesh bodies of shrimp which have been deeply slit longitudinally and to which the shrimp tails remain attached. This type of tail-on shrimp will be referred to as butterfly shrimp.

The production of cleaned tail-n shrimp is complicated by the fact that the flesh bodies of raw shrimp have only very limited structural strength, the strength of each flesh body being weakest at the juncture of the shrimp tail with the flesh body. Moreover, this weakest portion of the flesh body, which must be relied on to hold the tail attached to the flesh body, is vulnerable to being damaged as an incident to separation of the shrimp tail from the main portion of the shrimp shell as is necessary in the production of tail-on shrimp. As a consequence, the tail of each shrimp is subject to being pulled loose from the flesh body of the shrimp, leaving the body tailless or with the tail so insecurely attached that the purpose of having tail-on shrimp is effectively diminished.

One object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method of cleaning shrimp to produce cleaned tail-on shrimp with great efiiciency and assurance that the tail of each shrimp will remain securely attached to the flesh body of the shrimp from which the shell is removed.

Another o'bject of the invention is to provide an improved method of cleaning shrimp in which the tail of each shrimp is separated from the main portion of the shell of the shrimp in a manner that elfectively avoids subjecting the flesh body of the shrimp to forces tending to weaken that portion of the flesh body which adjoins and holds the tail attached to the flesh body.

A more specific object is to provide a method of cleaning shrimp as recited in the preceding objects which utilizes the flesh body of each shrimp as a pusher to push the tail of the shrimp away from the main portion of the shell of the shrimp as an incident to separation of the shrimp tail from the main portion of the shrimp shell.

Another object is to provide a new and improved method of cleaning shrimp to provide cleaned butterfly shrimp consisting of longitudinally slit flesh bodies of shrimp from which the shrimp shells have been removed and to which the shrimp tails remain attached.

Another object is to provide a new and improved method of cleaning shrimp as set forth in the preceding objects which is well adapted to be carried out by automatic machinery.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the ensuing description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a machine constructed to clean shrimp in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the machine, taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a butterfly shrimp cleaned by the invention and showing the main portion of the shrimp shell which has been removed from the shrimp;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the machine taken along the line 44 of FIG. 1, and showing a rotary assembly of shrimp holders which carry shrimp through a succession of stations where successive steps of the shrimp cleaning method are performed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale of a typical shrimp holder incorporated in the machine;

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view on a still larger scale of a typical shrimp holder, taken with reference to the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on a substantially enlarged scale taken with reference to the line 7-7 of FIG. 5, and showing the structure of a shrimp shell clutch used in rupturing a shrimp shell;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing components of a typical shell rupturing jaw;

FIG. 9 is ,a longitudinal sectional view of a typical shrimp holder taken with reference to the line 99 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view of a holder taken with reference to the line 1010 of FIG. 9, and showing the position of the parts as the holder progresses through a shell rupturing station;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken with reference to the line 11-11 of FIG. 4 and showing the relationship of the shell rupturing jaws of a typical holder to a shrimp in the holder before the jaws are engaged with the shrimp;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side view of the tail end of a shrimp as it is carried in a holder, as illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but showing the shell clutches of the opposing jaws initially engaged with a shrimp shell;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12 but illustrating the points at which tines of the shell clutches initially engage the shrimp shell;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 13 but showing a later phase in the movement of the holder in which the shrimp shell is overstretched to rupture the shell;

FIG. 16 is a View similar to FIG. 14 but illustrating the rupture of the shrimp shell by tension as effected in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of the machine, taken with reference to the line 17-17 of FIG. 4, and showing parts which cooperate with a shrimp holder to effect removal of the main portion of a shrimp shell;

FIG. 18 is a vertical sectional view taken with reference to the line 1818 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 18, but showing a later phase in the movement of shrimp body and tail engaging structure in relation to a shrimp carried by a holder into the shell removing and body slitting station;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 but illustrating a slightly later phase in the relative movement of parts in the shell removing and body slitting station;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken with reference to the line 2121 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken with reference to the line 2222 of FIG. 20, and showing shrimp stripper parts opened to permit passage of shrimp bearing elements;

FIG. 23 is a figure similar to FIG. 22, but illustrating a later phase in the action in which stripper splines are swung toward each other to remove a cleaned shrimp from impaling tines;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the assembly which cooperates with a holder to effect removal of a shrimp shell and slitting of the shrimp body in the shell removing and body slitting station;

FIG. 25 is a side view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally with reference to the irregular line 2626 of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is an end view of the assembly of FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is a detail perspective view on a reduced scale of a tail engaging element of the assembly shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 29 is a detail perspective view on a reduced scale of a slitting knife actuating lever incorporated in the assembly of FIG. 24; and

FIG. 30 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3030 of FIG. 17 and showing gearing used in stabilizing the orientation of the assembly of FIG. 24.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, typical shrimp which are to be cleaned in accordance with the invention are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and identified by the reference number 40. The heads (not shown) of the shrimp are previously removed by means forming no part of the invention.

A typical butterfly shrimp 42 cleaned by the method provided by the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown, the shrimp tail 44 remains attached to the flesh body 46 of the shrimp from which the main portion 48 of the shrimp shell is removed. See FIG. 3. The sand vein 50, FIG. 2, of the shrimp is removed from the flesh body 46 of the cleaned shrimp 42, the flesh body 46 of the butterfly shrimp shown having a deep longitudinal slit 50 which divides the flesh body 46 into two longitudinal half-sections 52, 54 which remain attached together along the ventral side of the shrimp, but which can spread apart or open up when the shrimp is prepared by cooking or serving.

The flesh body 46 of a typical shrimp inherently has only limited structural strength, the flesh body being at its weakest at the tail end which adjoins the shrimp tail 44. Moreover, a tail portion or segment 56 of the flesh body 46, where the tail 44 adjoins the flesh body is vulnerable to being damaged and further weakened as an incident to separation of the shrimp tail 44 from the main shell portion 48 which is removed from the flesh body.

The method for cleaning shrimp in accordance with the invention is carried out automatically in the shrimp cleaning machine 60, FIG. 1, and can be visualized most readily with reference to working zones, FIG. 4, in the machine 60, wherein successive steps of the method are performed.

The first major step in the method consists of establishing a firm grip on the shell of each shrimp to be cleaned. This is done in a shell gripping zone or station 62 in the machine 60 where the underbelly or ventral side of each shrimp is gripped in a shrimp holder 64, the grip on the shrimp shell extending along a major portion of the length of the shell.

The gripping of the shrimp 40 in the station 62 includes a gripping of the main shell portion 48 which is to be removed from the shrimp. As will appear, the grip on the main shell portion 48, once established in the station 62, is not released until the shell portion 48 is removed from the shrimp.

After a shrimp 40 is gripped in a holder 64, the shell of the shrimp is ruptured near the shrimp tail 44- as a prelude to subsequent separation of the shrimp tail from the main portion 48 of the shrimp shell. For convenience, the shrimp shell in its entirety will be identified by the number 66, FIGS. 2, 12 and 14. This rupturing of the shrimp shell 66 near the shrimp tail 44 is effected in a shell rupturing zone 68. Successive phases of the shell rupturing action effected in the zone 68 are illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 16. 'Rupturing of the shrimp shell 66 is accomplished by stretching the shell longitudinally sufliciently to break the strength of the shell adjacent the shrimp tail in a manner which avoids substantial weakening of the adjacent portion 56 of the flesh body which is subsequently relied on to hold the tail attached to the flesh body.

The shrimp shell 66 is slit and the body 46 of the shrimp is gashed longitudinally along the dorsal side of the shrimp in a station 70, FIG. 4, for removal of the shrimp sand vein 50, FIG. 2. Preferably, the gashed dorsal side of each shrimp is cleared of debris in a cleaning station 72.

The main shell portion 48 is removed from each shrimp in a shell removing station 74, wherein the main shell portion 48 of the shrimp is caused to move longitudinally over the head end of the flesh body 46. Thus, separation of the tail 48 from the main shell portion 48 is effected by longitudinal movement of the tail 44 away from the shell portion 48, in which action the shrimp body 46 is positioned to push the tail away from the main shell portion 48 to the end that separation of the tail 44 from the main shell portion 48 is effected without subjecting the tail segment 56 of the flesh body to tension forces which would tend to damage that portion of the flesh body which holds the tail attached to the flesh body.

When it is desirable to slit the flesh body 46 of the shrimp longitudinally to provide butterfly shrimp, longitudinal slitting of the flesh body is effected in the machine 60 in the shell removing station 74 contemporaneously with but preferably slightly subsequent to initial separation of the tail 44 from the main shell portion 48. Finally, the removed shell portion 48 is released at a shell releasing station 76.

Thus, the basic steps of the shrimp cleaning method include gripping the main portion of the shrimp shell; rupturing the shrimp shell near the shrimp tail, this step being effected to advantage by tension force which overstretches the shell adjacent the tail; slitting the shrimp longitudinally along its dorsal side; moving the main portion of the shrimp shell longitudinally in relation to the flesh body to separate the main shell portion from the body, this step being effected to .advantage by moving the main shell portion over the head end of the flesh body; and then releasing the removed shell portion. Optionally, the method includes the step of longitudinally slitting the flesh body substantially concurrently With separation of the flesh body from the main shell portion.

In the machine 60 illustrated, a circular series of six shrimp holders 64 are mounted on a common rotor FIGS. 4, 6 and 10, that is rotated to move the holders 64 in an endless circular path that carries the holders through the successive work stations or zones 62, 68, 70, 72, 74 and 76 previously referred to. Individual shrimp 40 are picked up or received by the individual holders 64 at a pickup or receiving station 82, FIG. 4, located between the shell releasing station 76 .and the shell gripping station 62.

A progression of shrimp are moved into the pickup station 82 in synchronism with movement of the holders 64 into the pickup station 82 by an endless flexible conveyer 84 comprising a connected series of parallel trays 86, FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, each adapted to cradle an individual shrimp 40. A generally horizontal upper run 88 of the conveyer 84 passes alongside a fixed shrimp support board or tray 90 to the shrimp receiving station 82 which may be aptly characterized as a feeding station.

As shown, shrimp 40 are brought to the supply tray or board 90 by a supply conveyer 92. An operator (not shown) picks up shrimp 40 by hand from the support tray 90 and places the individual shrimp in successive trays 86 in the adjacent upper run 88 of the conveyer 84. The shrimp 40 are placed in the trays 88 so that the tails of all of the shrimp extend rearwardly and project a substantially uniform distance rearwardly from the rear end of the trays 86. Visible markings 94 in the rear portions of the trays 88 aid in manual placement of the shrimp in the trays 86 so that the tails 44 of the shrimp project the desired uniform distance rearwardly from the rear ends of the trays.

The endless conveyer 84 is intermittently advanced in synchronism with rotation of the holder bearing rotor 88 by means of a suitable common driving transmission for the rotor and conveyer, which can be readily provided by those skilled in the art. Rotor and conveyer drive means suitable for this purpose is disclosed in applicants United States Patent No. 2,784,450, issued Mar. 12, 1957.

Transfer of each shrimp from a conveyer tray 86 to a typical holder 64 in the pickup or feeding station 82 is effected by a pair of opposed tail clamping jaws 98 swingably mounted on the forward end of each typical holder 64.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 9 and 10, each holder 64 has a central frame 108 which is supported on the rotor 80 by studs and sleeves 102, 104. The two tail clamping jaws 98 on each holder 64 are swingably mounted on the forwardly projecting end of a shaft 186 supported in the holder frame 100, FIG. 9. The tail clamping ends of the opposing jaws 98 are urged toward each other by the action of a spring 188 on the jaws, movement of the jaws 98 toward and away from each other being controlled by cam followers 110 mounted on the respective jaws 98 and coacting with tail jaw operating cams 112 as an incident to rotation of the rotor 80.

Opposing jaws 98 entering the shrimp receiving or feeding station 82 are held apart by the cams 112 to receive between the jaws the tail 44 of a shrimp 40 projecting rearwardly from an adjacent tray 86. The cams 112 are shaped to allow the jaws 98 to swing toward each other clamping the intervening shrimp tail 44 so that the shrimp is pulled from its tray 86 into overlying relation to an arcuate support surface 114, FIGS. 6 and 9 formed on the outer periphery of the holder frame Movement of a holder 64 from the shrimp receiving or feeding station 82 into the shell clamping station 62 carries the shrimp, the tail of which is gripped by the jaws 98, into underlying relation to hold down rollers 116, FIG. 4, which force the ventral side of the shrimp firmly against the underlying support surface 114.

In the shell clamping station 62, the underbelly o-r ventral side of the shrimp shell is firmly gripped between arcuate shell gripping elements 118 formed by the outer ends of a pair of opposed shell gripping jaws 120 swingably mounted on a central shaft 122 carried by the holder frame 160. Two springs 124 act on the jaws 120 to urge the shell clamping elements 118 on the jaws toward each other, and opposed control cams 126 cooperate with followers 128 on the jaws 120 to control movement of the clamping elements 118 toward and away from each other, the cams 126 being shaped to cause movement of the shell clamping elements 118 toward each other by the springs 124 to clamp the underside of a shrimp shell in the shell clamping station or zone 62. The clamping elements 118 have sufficient arcuate extent away from the tail clamping jaws 98 to clamp the main shell segment 48, which is to be removed from the shrimp, along substantially the entire length of the shell segment 48. As shown in FIG. 9, the tail clamping jaws 98 and the adjacent end of the shrimp support surface 114 are separated by an intervening shrimp support element 130 underlying a short segment of the shrimp shell wherein rupturing of the shell is elfected in the next working zone or station 68.

In the shell rupturing zone 68, to which each holder 64 moves after the main shell portion 48 is securely clamped in the station 62, the shell of each shrimp 40 is stretched beyond its breaking point by the action on the shrimp shell of two pairs of shell clutches 132, 134 carried by the holder 64 which bears the shrimp. Each of the clutches 132, 134 is designed to establish a non-slip connection with adjacent portions of a shrimp shell without applying to the shell pressure sufiicient to cause significant damage or weakening of the flesh body 46 within the shell.

Preferably, each shell clutch 132 comprises four needle sharp tines 136, FIG. 8, and each clutch 134 comprises three needle sharp tines 138, the tines 136, 138 being adapted to slightly pierce and anchor the adjacent portions of a shrimp shell again-st slippage in relation tothe respective clutches without applying damaging pressures to the shrimp shell.

The two pairs of shell clutches 132, 134 on each holder 64 are carried by a pair of shell rupturing jaws 140 swingably mounted on two lower pivots 142 carried by the holder frame 180, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. One clutch of each pair of clutches 132, 134 is supported on the upper end of each jaw 140.

Compression springs 144 urge the jaws 140 away from each other to normal positions in which the clutches 132, 134 are spaced from a shrimp 48 gripped in the holder 64, as shown in FIG. 6. 1

As each holder 64 moves into the shell rupturing station or zone 68, a pair of opposed cams 146 engage cam followers 148 on the jaws 140, FIG. 11, and swing the jaws toward each other to engage the clutches 132, 134 with adjacent portions of the shrimp shell 66 intervening between the clutches, as shown in FIG. 13.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, the tines 136 of each clutch 132 are set in a square pattern in a supporting element 150 on the corresponding jaw 140 which confronts the adjacent shrimp shell 66 upon swinging of the jaws 149 toward each other. Thus mounted, the four tines 136 of each clutch 132 slightly pierce and effectively anchor an adjacent segment of the shrimp shell, as indicated by the four pierce marks 152 in FIG. 14.

The three tines 138 of each clutch 134 are set in a portion of a supporting bellcrank 154 supported by a pivot 156, FIGS. 7, 8 and 13, on the corresponding jaw 140 to confront the adjacent shrimp shell 66 upon swinging of the jaws 140 toward each other, FIG. 13.

As shown in FIGS. 11, 13 and 15, the pair of clutches 134 are positioned to engage the shell of an intervening shrimp between the pair of clutches 132 and the tail 44 of the shrimp. The three tines 138 of each clutch 134 are arranged in a triangular pattern and slightly penetrate the segment of the shrimp shell 66 which is immediately adjacent the tail 44 of the shrimp, the three pierece marks on the tines 138 of each clutch 134 being identified in FIGS. 14 and 16 by the number 158. It will be noted with reference to FIG. 13 that the pivots 156 are located forwardly of the centers of the clutches 134, with reference to the direction of movement of the corresponding holder 64, so that the reaction of the shrimp shell on the clutches 134 tends to swing the ends of the levers 154 bearing the clutches 134 against the rigid parts 150 of the jaws 140, thereby solidly supporting the levers 154 on the jaws 140 as the jaws are swung toward each other to engage all of the clutches with a shrimp shell, as shown in FIG. 13.

As movement of the holder 64 continues, two cams 160 engage cam followers 162 on the two bell cranks or levers 164, FIGS. 10 and 13, to swing the levers 154 about the pivots 156 in directions which move the clutches 134 away from the clutches 132 toward the adjacent shrimp tail 44, as shown in FIG. 15.

This movement of the pair of clutches 134 away from the pair of clutches 132 moves a tail adjoining segment 164 of the shrimp shell away from the adjacent segment of the shrimp shell 66, which is effectively anchored by the clutches 132. This action tensions and overstretches the 7 shell 66 between the clutches 132 and 134 to effect rupturing of the shell between the clutches 134 and 132. The flesh body 46 of the shrimp is more elastic than the shrimp shell 66 and is not significantly weakened by the stretching action which ruptures the shell.

Continued movement of the holder 64 carries the holder beyond the cams 146, 160, 'whereupon the clutches 132, 134 are disengaged from the shrimp by the springs 144. The bell-cranks 154 are returned to their normal positions by springs 174, FIGS. 7, 8, 13 and 15.

Each holder 64 carries its shrimp from the shell rupturing zone 68 through the deveining zone 70 where a rotating saw 176 biased into the shrimp by a weight 178 slits open the shell 66 of the shrimp to expose the shrimp body 46 and remove the sand vein 50.

From the station 70, each shrimp 40 is carried by its holder 66 to the cleaning zone 72 where debris is removed from the open dorsal side of the shrimp by a rotating brush 180 assisted by a jet of Water from a nozzle 182.

Continued movement of the corresponding holder 64 carries scrubbed shrimp from the station 72 to the station 74, FIG. 4, wherein the flesh body 46 and tail 44, FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 are moved longitudinally in relation to the main shell portion 48, thereby effecting longitudinal movement of the main shell portion 48 away from the shrimp tail 44 and over the head end of the flesh body 46. This action is effected even though tail first longitudinal movement of the gripped shell portion 48 is continued without interruption through the station 74 by the corresponding holder 64.

As each holder 64 approaches the shell removing station 74, the tail clamping jaws 98 on the holder are opened by the action of the cams 112 to release the shrimp tail 44.

As each shrimp is carried by its holder 64 into the station 74 the tail 44 of the shrimp is grasped between two tail holding blades 186, and the flesh body 46 of the shrimp is pierced by two rows of body piercing tines 188 carried by and forming parts of a shrimp tail and flesh body accelerating assembly or unit 190, FIGS. 17 through 29.

The assembly 190 is caused to orbit in a substantially circular path, while at the same time being established in a predetermined, fixed orientation in relation to a horizontal plane, the path and speed of movement of the assembly 190 being determined so as to bring about the desired coaction of the assembly with each shrimp moved into the station 74 and the desired relative speed of the assembly 190 in relation to successive holders 64 moving through the station 74.

As shown in FIGS. 17 to 21, the assembly 190 is carried by a frame 192 extending between two spaced parallel support discs 194, 196 that are rotated in synchronism with the rotor 80, FIG. 4. The discs 194, 196 are jou-rnalled on a stationary support shaft 198 parallel to the axis of the rotor 80. Rotation of the two discs 194, 196 is effected by a gear 200, FIGS. 4 and 17, on the disc 196, which is connected through two idler gears 202, 204 with a bull gear 206 on the rotor 80. The two discs 194, 196 are tied together by a plurality of bars 208 to form a rigid rotary carrier for the assembly 190.

Opposite ends of the frame 192, which supports the assembly 190, are rotatably supported on two axle studs 210 threaded into the respective discs 194, 196, the axle studs 210 being radially spaced from the axis of the discs 194, 196 so that rotation of the discs 194, 196 causes the assembly 190 supported between the discs to orbit in a generally circular path.

As the assembly 190 is orbi-ted upon rotation of the discs 194, 196, the assembly 190 is prevented from turning so that its angular orientation in relation to a horizontal plane does not change. This is effected by means of a gear 212, FIGS. 17 and 30, fixed to one end of the assembly frame 192 and meshing with an idler gear 214, journalled on the disc 196, which in turn meshes with a stationary gear 218 supported on the shaft 198.

The central portion of the frame 192 for the assembly 190 comprises a central frame member 220, connected through a plurality of spacers 222 to two stud frame members 224, FIGS. 24 to 27. The central frame member 220 serves as a support base for the two previously mentioned rows of shrimp body piercing tines 188 which extend upwardly and have considerable length, as shown.

A shrimp body slitting knife 226, located between the rows of tines 188, as shown in FIGS. 24 to 26, is hinged on the end of the central frame member 220 adjacent the tail holding blades 186 for swinging movement parallel to the tines 188.

Outward swinging movement of the body slitting knife 226 is effected .by a lever 228, FIGS. 24, 25 and 28, carrying a cam follower roller 230 and being pivotally supported between the frame members 224, as shown, to slidably support and act on the end of the knife 226 opposite from the hinge axis 232, FIG. 25, about which the knife 226 swings.

The previously mentioned tail holding blades 186 project outwardly in generally parallel relation to the tines 188 and are located somewhat beyond the tines, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, to embrace the tail 44 of a shrimp, the flesh body of which is pierced by the tines 188, as will presently appear. The two blades 186 are supported for swinging movement toward and away from each other by two shafts 236 journalled in the outer frame members 224 and carrying two depending cam followers 238. A spring 240, FIG. 27, connected between the cam followers 238, urges the blades 184 into spaced relation to each other to receive a shrimp tail 44 therebetween.

The dimensions of the parts and the synchronization of the movements of the parts are such that the assembly 190 moves through the station 74 in synchronism with movement of each successive holder 64 through the station 74, FIGS. 18 to 20. The orbital path of the tines 188 overlaps the path of the flesh body 46 of a shrimp carried into the station 74 by a typical holder 64, with the result that the two rows of tines 188 impale the flesh body 46 which has been exposed along its dorsal side by slitting in the station 70. At the same time, the two tail holding blades 186 are brought into embracing relation to the shrimp tail 44, FIG. 19. Concurrently with this, the two cam followers 238 move into straddling relation to a stationary wedge shaped cam 244 which moves the followers 238 away from each other, causing the blades 186 to grasp the shrimp at the tail.

More particularly, the blades 186 grasp the shrimp at the juncture of the tail 44 with the very short segment 164 of the shrimp shell which remains attached to the tail and flesh body, see FIG. 16. Sharp protuberances 246 on the free ends of the blades 186 aid in establishing non-slip engagement of the blades with the shrimp.

The previously described gear drive for the rotary discs 194, 196 is such that the movement of the tines 188 and blades 186 in the zone 74 is generally in the same direction as the movement of the main shrimp shell portion 48 gripped in an adjacent holder 64, but at a higher rate of speed.

Because of their higher speed in relation to an adjacent holder 64, the blades 186 and tines 188, after embracing a shrimp tail and piercing a shrimp body 46 in the station 74, move longitudinally relative to the shrimp in the direction of the shrimp tail, thus causing release of the main shell segment 48 from the tail and flesh body by movement of the shell segment 48 over the head end of the flesh body, as shown in FIG. 20. It will be noted that the flesh body 46 is intact and is positioned as a pusher behind the tail 44.

Just as the main shell portion 48' is released from the shrimp tail and body, the outer periphery of the stationary cam 244 acts on the cam follower 230 to force the knife 226 outwardly to quickly slit the flesh body 46 longitudinally, to produce a butterfly shrimp.

Continued movement of the orbiting assembly 190 carries the cleaned flesh body and tail of the shrimp away from the main shell segment 48 into a position between two linear rows of stripper tines 250, 252 carried by two' cantilevering bars 254, 256 eccentrically mounted on two support shafts 258, 160 joumaled in a common support 262 and connected together by two gears 264, 266 to rotate simultaneously in opposite directions. A rack 268 biased downwardly by a spring 270 meshes with the gear 264, FIGS. 17, 18, 22 and 23, and carries at one end a roller 272 that engages one end of a medially pivoted lever 274, the other end of which carries a cam follower roller 276 in engagement with the disc 194, FIG. 18.

An arcuate cam 278 on the disc 194 is positioned circumferentially to act on the roller 276 and operate through the mechanism just described to swing the cantilever bars 254, 256 and stripper tines 250, 252 apart upon the approach of the assembly 190 to permit passage between the stripper tines 250, 252 of the lower portion of the assembly 190 as it orbits in its path. At this time, the followers 238 have passed beyond the cam 244 and the blades 186 have swung away from the shrimp, leaving the shrimp supported on the tines 188 which impale the shrimp body.

The retracted position of the stripper tines 250, 252 which allows passage of the lower portion of the assembly 190 is illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 22. As movement of the assembly 190 between the stripper tines 250, 252 progresses, the follower roller 276 moves off the cam 278, allowing the spring 270 to swing the stripper tines 250, 252 toward each other to intervene between the impaling tines 188 to cradle the cleaned shrimp 42 and strip it from the impaling tines 188 as movement of the assembly 190 continues. Upon subsequent movement of the stripper tines 250, 252 away from each other, the cleaned shrimp 42 drops into an underlying receiver (not shown).

The main shell portion 48 of the shrimp is released from its holder 64 in the station 76 by movement of the main gripper jaws 120 away from each other by the cams 126.

The machine structure thus described is supported by a suitable frame and housing identified generally by the number 290, FIG. 1.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not necessarily limited to use of the particular machine structure illustrated and described.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. The method of cleaning shrimp comprising the steps of gripping a shrimp along the ventral side of the main portion of the shrimp shell, rupturing the shell of the shrimp adjacent the shrimp tail to break the longitudinal strength of the shell at a position adjacent the shrimp tail, cutting open the shell of the shrimp longitudinally along the dorsal side of the shrimp, and separating the main portion of the shrimp shell from the tail and flesh body of the shrimp by maintaining along substantially the entire length of the main portion of the shrimp shell a laterally adjacent relationship of the shrimp shell and the flesh body of the shrimp and simultaneously effecting a longitudinal displacement of the main portion of the shrimp shell relative to the flesh body and tail of the shrimp in a longitudinal direction directed away from the tail end toward the head end of the flesh body, which laterally adjacent relationship of the shrimp shell and the flesh body is continued along substantially the full length of the flesh body ahead of the shrimp tail until the main portion of the shell is disconnected from the flesh body and tail of the shrimp.

2. The method of cleaning shrimp comprising rupturing the shell of the shrimp adjacent the tail of the shrimp and opening the shrimp shell longitudinally, separating the main portion of the shell of the shrimp from the tail and flesh body of the shrimp by longitudinally displacing the main portion of the shell at once in relation to the tail and flesh body of the shrimp in a longitudinal direc tion directed away from the tail end and toward the head end of the flesh body; and maintaining, during said longitudial displacement of said main shell portion in relation to the tail and flesh body, a generally parallel relation between said flesh body and the main portion of the shell.

3. The method of cleaning shrimp comprising gripping the main portion of the shell of the shrimp, rupturing the shell of the shrimp adjacent the shrimp tail and opening the shrimp shell longitudinally, holding the flesh body and tail of the shrimp against movement in relation to each other; separating the main portion of the shrimp shell from the tail and flesh body of the shrimp by effecting a longitudinal displacement of the full length of the main portion of the shrimp shell at once in relation to the tail and flesh body said longitudinal displacement of the main portion of the shrimp shell relative to the flesh body and tail of the shrimp being in a longitudinal direction directed away from the tail end toward the head end of the flesh body so that any force transmitted from the main portion of the shrimp shell to the tail, as an incident to separation of the main portion of the shrimp shell from the tail, is in the general direction of the flesh body; and maintaining, during separation of the main portion of the shell from the flesh body and tail by said longitudinal relative displacement of the main portion of the shell, a generally parallel laterally adjacent relation of said flesh body to the main portion of the shell.

4. The method of cleaning shrimp comprising gripping the main portion of the shell of the shrimp along the ventral side thereof, opening the shrimp shell longitudinally, rupturing the shell of the shrimp adjacent the shrimp tail by applying to the shell tension force which breaks the strength of the shell adjacent the shrimp tail, holding the flesh body and tail of the shrimp against movement in relation to each other; separating the tail and and flesh body of the shrimp from the main portion of the shrimp shell by effecting a longitudial displacement of the full length of the main portion of the shrimp shell at once in relation to the tail and flesh body of the shrimp, said longitudinal displacement of the main portion of the shrimp shell relative to the flesh body and tail of the shrimp being in a longitudinal direction directed away from the tail end toward the head end of the flesh body so that any force transmitted from the main portion of the shrimp shell to the tail, as an incident to separation of the tail from the main portion of the shrimp shell, is directed generally toward the flesh body and maintaining, during said separation of the main portion of the shell from the flesh body and tail by said relative longitudinal displacement of the main portion of the shrimp shell, a generally parallel laterally adjacent relation of said flesh body to the main portion of the shell.

5. The method of cleaning shrimp comprising rupturing the shell of the shrimp adjacent the tail of the shrimp and opening the shrimp shell longitudinally; releasing the main portion of the shell of the shrimp from the tail and flesh body of the shrimp by maintaining the shrimp shell and the flesh body of the shrimp substantially in mutually parallel relation along substantially the full length of the main portion of the shrimp shell and simultaneously separating the main portion of the shell in one piece from the flesh body and tail of the shrimp by effecting a longitudinal displacement of the main portion of the shell relative to the flesh body and tail in a longitudinal direction directed away from the tail end toward the head end of the flesh body, which longitudinal displacement starts with the main portion of the shell attached substantially throughout its length to the flesh body and continues until the main portion of the shell is disconnected from the 1 l flesh body and tail; and deeply slitting the flesh body of the shrimp longitudinally.

6. The method of cleaning shrimp comprising establishing along the ventral side of the main portion of the shell of a shrimp a secure grip which is maintained until the main portion of the shrimp shell is removed from the flesh body of the shrimp; opening the main portion of the shrimp shell longitudinally along one side thereof, holding the tail of the shrimp and holding the flesh body of the shrimp along the major portion of its length and, while holding the tail and the flesh body, applying to the tail and flesh body a first longitudinal force distributed along substantially the full length of the flesh body and directed longitudinally away from the head end of the flesh body toward the shrimp tail; applying to the gripped main portion of the shrimp shell a second longitudinal force opposite to said first longitudinal force to effect a longitudinal displacement of said main shell portion relative to the flesh body in a longitudinal direction directed away from the tail end toward the head end of the flesh body, which displacement starts with the shell connected along substantially the full length of said major portion thereof to the flesh body and continues until the main portion of the shell is disconnected from the flesh body and tail; maintaining the main portion of the shell in generally parallel, laterally adjacent relation to the flesh body along substantially the full length of the latter until the main portion of the shell is separated from the flesh body and tail by said longitudinal displacement of the main shell portion in relation to the flesh body and tail leaving the shrimp tail attached to the flesh body from which the main portion of the shell is removed.

7. The method of cleaning shrimp comprising opening longitudinally the main portion of the shrimp shell ahead of the shrimp tail, rupturing transversely the shell of the shrimp adjacent the tail of the shrimp and separating the tail and flesh body of the shrimp together from the longitudinally opened main portion of the shrimp shell by eifecting a displacement of the entire length of the main portion of the shell at once longitudinally in relation to the tail and flesh body of the shrimp, which displacement starts while the main portion of the shell remains connected along substantially its full length to the flesh body and which displacement moves the full length of the main portion of the shell at once longitudinally in relation to the flesh body in a longitudinal direction directed away from the tail end and toward the head end of the flesh body until the main portion of the shrimp shell is completely disconnected from the tail and flesh body of the shrimp.

8. The method of cleaning shrimp comprising establishing along the ventral side of the main portion of the shell of a shrimp, which extends forwardly from the shrimp tail, a secure grip which is maintained until the main portion of the shrimp shell is disconnected from the flesh body and tail of the shrimp; opening the main portion of the shrimp shell longitudinally along one side of the shrimp; and maintaining along substantially the entire length of the main portion of the shrimp shell is laterally adjacent relationship of the flesh body of the shrimp and the shrimp shell and simultaneously effecting a longitudinal displacement of the full length of the main portion of the shrimp shell at once relative to the flesh body and tail of the shrimp in a longitudinal direction directed away from the tail end toward the head end of the flesh body, which longitudinal displacement is started while the shell remains connected to the flesh body along substantially the full length of said main portion of the shrimp shell and which is continued until the main portion of the shell is disconnected from the flesh body and tail of the shrimp leaving the shrimp tail and cleaned flesh body connected together.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,716,776 9/ 1955 Streich et a1. 17-2 2,974,356 3/1961 Cerny l72 3,159,871 12/1964 Jonsson 17-45 SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner.

LUCIE H. LAUDENSLAGER, Examiner. 

1. THE METHOD OF CLEANING SHRIMP COMPRISING THE STEPS OF GRIPPING A SHRIMP ALONG THE VENTRAL SIDE OF THE MAIN PORTION OF THE SHRIMP SHELL, RUPTURING THE SHELL OF THE SHRIMP ADJACENT THE SHRIMP TAIL TO BREAK THE LONGITUDINAL STRENGTH OF THE SHEEL AT A POSITION ADJACENT THE SHRIMP TAIL, CUTTING OPEN THE SHEEL OF THE SHRIMP LONGITUDINALLY ALONG THE DORSAL SIDE OF THE SHRIMP, AND SEPARATING THE MAIN PORTION OF THE SHRIMP SHELL FROM THE TAIL AND FLESH BODY OF THE SHRIMP BY MAINTAINING ALONG SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE MAIN PORTION OF THE SHRIMP SHELL A LATERALLY ADJACENT RELATIONSHIP OF THE SHRIMP SHELL AND THE FLESH BODY OF THE SHRIMP AND SIMULTANEOUSLY EFFECT ING A LONGITUDINAL DISPLACEMENT OF THE MAIN PORTION OF THE SHRIMP SHELL RELATIVE TO THE FLESH BODY AND TAIL OF THE SHRIMP IN A LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION DIRECTED AWAY FROM THE TAIL END TOWARD THE HEAD END OF THE FLESH BODY, WHICH LATERALLY ADJACENT RELATIONSHIP OF THE SHRIMP SHELL AND THE FLESH BODY IS CONTINUED ALONG SUBSTANTIALLY THE FULL LENGTH OF THE FLESH BODY AHEAD OF THE SHRIMP TAIL UNTIL THE MAIN PORTION OF THE SHELL IS DISCONNECTED FROM THE FLESH BODY AND TAIL OF THE SHRIMP. 